Having witnessed Lucas's strength firsthand, Genya no longer dared to act recklessly. He stood off to the side, fists clenched, his eyes filled with visible frustration and unwillingness.
"Now, swordsmen, please select your tamahagane from here," Hinaki announced as she stepped forward and unveiled a tray filled with more than a dozen gleaming stones.
Each of the new recruits stepped up and carefully examined the selection. These weren't ordinary stones—these were the very essence of what would become their Nichirin Blades, the only weapons capable of killing demons. Understandably, everyone was cautious, examining each piece of tamahagane as if their lives depended on it.
While the others hesitated, Lucas strode up casually and picked one without a second thought.
The rest were stunned. His choice seemed completely random. There were no visible differences between most of the stones, but still—wasn't he going to analyze them like the others?
Sensing their gazes on him, Lucas simply shrugged.
To him, the variations between the pieces weren't significant enough to matter. So long as his strength was sufficient, even a Nichirin Blade forged from the worst tamahagane could still be used to slay demons.
Seeing Lucas's decisiveness, Zenitsu quickly followed suit, choosing a slightly larger piece of tamahagane, though his hand trembled slightly as he picked it up.
After everyone had made their choices, the tamahagane selection concluded.
Lucas and Zenitsu were then assigned to a nearby residence under the protection of the Demon Slayer Corps. Wisteria flowers—natural repellents of demons—bloomed around the area, and guards patrolled frequently to ensure everyone's safety.
Upon reaching the resting quarters, Zenitsu finally relaxed. The tension that had been building in his body over the past several days seemed to melt away. Lucas, meanwhile, lay back with his arms behind his head, deep in thought.
Now that he had passed the Final Selection, he was officially a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. His days of demon-hunting would begin soon. But unlike others, Lucas hadn't joined simply to slay demons—he had another objective: to make friends and grow stronger through those bonds.
His goal required encountering powerful people—Pillars, elite demons, and other important figures. But such opportunities wouldn't fall into his lap. He had to create them himself.
According to the timeline, after the Final Selection, Tanjiro would soon come into contact with two key demons—Kibutsuji Muzan and Tamayo.
Muzan, the progenitor of all demons, was undoubtedly the strongest being in the world at this stage. Befriending him could bring massive rewards, even if they were randomized.
But this plan carried terrifying risks.
No matter how far Lucas had come, his power was still insignificant compared to Muzan's. If Muzan wanted him dead, it would be over in a blink.
Fortunately, Lucas remembered that Muzan had once encountered Tanjiro in public. At the time, Muzan didn't kill him because Miss Li, a well-connected woman, was present. Muzan didn't want his identity exposed in front of her.
That moment—a rare vulnerability in Muzan's otherwise impenetrable shield—was Lucas's chance.
If Lucas could approach him under the guise of being a harmless stranger and find a reason to interact without drawing suspicion, he might form a tentative relationship.
As for Tamayo, her Blood Demon Arts were fascinating. "Bewitching Scent of Visual Dreams," which could control minds, and "Daytime Demon Scent," which could compel people to tell the truth, were powerful tools. However, Tamayo was extremely cautious and wouldn't trust easily.
Lucas knew he'd need Tanjiro's help to get close to her.
---
Fifteen days after the Final Selection, Lucas finally received his Nichirin Blade—a brilliant golden sword, glimmering with potential—and his first official mission, delivered by his Kasugai Crow.
The report was grim.
A demon had surfaced in Naraku Town, a place to the north, infamous for its recent spate of disappearances and murders. Thirteen people had either vanished or been found dead.
Lucas immediately made preparations to depart. Although he had spent the last few days training and strengthening his foundation, the monotonous routine bored him. He was ready to test himself in real combat.
He picked up his golden blade and turned to Zenitsu, who was sitting nearby with a blank, shell-shocked expression.
Zenitsu had also been assigned to Naraku Town. When he realized he'd have to face demons again so soon, his soul practically left his body.
"Numb... I feel so numb..." Zenitsu muttered.
---
By the time the two arrived in Naraku Town, night had just fallen. The sky was darkening quickly, and a foreboding chill crept through the streets.
As the shadows deepened, the townspeople quickened their pace. Their fear was evident. No one wanted to be caught outside.
In a short while, the streets were deserted—except for Lucas and Zenitsu.
"Lucas, where do we even start looking?" Zenitsu asked nervously. The silence unnerved him. Every creak of wood and rustle of wind made his heart race.
"We go straight ahead and wait for it to appear," Lucas replied calmly.
His Slit Line ability had a range limit. Naraku Town was large, and if the demon didn't act first, locating it would be time-consuming.
Minutes passed in silence. Then, Lucas's expression changed slightly—his nose twitched.
Without a word, he disappeared into the shadows of a nearby alley.
"Huh? Lucas?" Zenitsu blinked in confusion. "Where'd he go?!"
---
Lucas followed the stench in the air—it was overwhelming. Far stronger than the Hand Demon he had previously faced. The rotting, acidic smell clung to the walls like a curse.
After several turns through narrow alleyways, Lucas stopped in front of a courtyard gate.
The smell was definitely coming from inside.
Just as he was about to move in, a piercing scream echoed from within.
Lucas leaped over the gate.
Inside the courtyard, a man was crawling away in panic, while an elderly woman with thickly painted red lips advanced on him slowly, like a specter.
The man's face was pale with terror. His mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out.
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
If not for the overwhelming stench pouring off her, the old woman could've passed for a normal person.
But the system in Lucas's mind activated:
> [Sound-Eating Demon]
Race: Demon
Rank: Kinoe
Aptitude: Low
Talent: Medium
Innate Skill: None
Skills:
— Blood Demon Art: Sound Eating (Proficient)
— Blood Demon Art: Slaughter (Proficient)
— Sound Blade (Proficient)
— Breath Control (Mastered)
So, a Kinoe-ranked demon on his very first mission.
Lucas smirked. It seemed Ubuyashiki knew about his strength and arranged a proper test.
Perfect. He had been looking for demons with Blood Demon Arts anyway.
The demon continued closing in on the terrified man.
But just as she lifted her hand to strike—
Boom!
A golden light exploded across the courtyard.
The old woman's body was blasted backward and slammed into the wall, creating a massive crater in the plaster.
Oddly, the crash made no sound.
The man stared, stunned. Where the old woman had been, now stood a young man with long, tousled hair and a golden sword still sheathed.
Lucas.
He hadn't even drawn his blade—he didn't want to accidentally kill the demon in one blow.
The old woman groaned and pulled herself from the rubble, glaring at Lucas with bloodshot eyes.
Raising a trembling arm, she sent out a wave of invisible sound energy.
Lucas didn't flinch.
Golden lightning began to crackle around his body like angry serpents.
As soon as the arcs appeared, the silence shattered.
The sounds returned—rustling leaves, panicked gasps, the crumbling wall.
Then came a deafening crash as Lucas shot forward in a blur of gold and tackled the demon into the ground.
Now scorched and beaten, the old woman was limp in his grasp.
She looked nothing like the fearsome predator from earlier. Her limbs dangled uselessly. Smoke rose from her body, and her eyes were dazed.
Lucas tilted his head and poked her gently with his scabbard.
"Hey, old hag. Want to be friends?"
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